Calathea plant named ‘Mysty’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Calathea  plant named ‘Mysty’, characterized by its compact and upright to outwardly arching and uniform plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely clumping growth habit; numerous leaves per plant, densely foliated; developed leaves that are light yellow green, yellow green, medium green and dark green in color arranged in a feather-like pattern; and good interiorscape performance.

Botanical designation: Calathea roseopicta.

Cultivar denomination: ‘MYSTY’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTORS/APPLICANTS & ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Inventors/Applicants and Assignee, DeRoose PlantsN.V. of Evergem, Belgium on Nov. 27, 2020, application number 2020/3026.Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventors/Applicants and Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from theInventors/Applicants or Assignee. Inventors/Applicants and Assigneeclaim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosureand/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior tothe effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calatheaplant, botanically known as Calathea roseopicta, commonly referred to asPrayer Plant, commercially produced as a potted plant and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘Mysty’.

The new Calathea plant is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation ofCalathea roseopicta ‘Medallion’, not patented. The new Calathea plantwas discovered and selected by the Inventors as a single plant fromwithin a population of plants of ‘Medallion’ in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in Evergem, Belgium on Apr. 5, 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Calathea plant by in vitro meristemculture since May 2, 2017 in a controlled greenhouse environment inEvergem, Belgium, has shown that the unique features of this newCalathea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW PLANT

Plants of the new Calathea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Mysty’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Mysty’ as a new and distinct Calathea plant:

-   -   1. Compact and upright to outwardly arching and uniform plant        habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely clumping growth habit; numerous leaves per plant,        densely foliated.    -   4. Developed leaves that are light yellow green, yellow green,        medium green and dark green in color arranged in a feather-like        pattern.    -   5. Good interiorscape performance.

Plants of the new Calathea differ primarily from plants of the mutationparent, ‘Medallion’, in the leaf color and leaf pattern as plants of thenew Calathea have leaves with yellow green-colored centers surrounded bya narrow dark green-colored band which is surrounded by a broad lighteryellow green-colored band and towards the margins, a broad mediumgreen-colored band whereas leaves of plants of ‘Medallion’ have yellowgreen-colored centers surrounded by a broad dark green-colored bandwhich is surrounded by a narrow lighter yellow green-colored band andtowards the margins, a broad medium green-colored band.

Plants of the new Calathea can also be compared to plants of Calathearoseopicta ‘Shinestar’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons plantsof the new Calathea differ primarily from plants of ‘Shinestar’ in theleaf color and leaf pattern as plants of the new Calathea have leaveswith yellow green-colored centers surrounded by a narrow darkgreen-colored band which is surrounded by a broad lighter yellowgreen-colored band and towards the margins, a broad medium green-coloredband whereas leaves of plants of ‘Shinestar’ have narrow yellowgreen-colored centers surrounded by a very broad dark green-colored bandwhich is surrounded by a lighter yellow green-colored band and towardsthe margins, a very narrow green-colored band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Calathea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Calathea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical plant of ‘Mysty’ grown in a container and is the samephotograph as filed in the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No.63/133,635.

The photograph on the left of the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-upview of a typical inflorescence of ‘Mysty’.

The photograph at the center of second sheet (FIG. 3) is a close-up viewof the upper surface of typical leaves of ‘Mysty’.

The photograph on the right of second sheet (FIG. 4) is a close-up viewof the lower surface of a typical leaf of ‘Mysty’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late summer and earlyautumn in 21-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Evergem,Belgium and under cultural practices typical of commercial Calatheaproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures rangedfrom 19° C. to 29° C. and night temperatures ranged from 16° C. to 22°C. Plants were 45 weeks old when the photographs and the detaileddescription were taken. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Calathea roseopicta ‘Mysty’.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Calathea    roseopicta ‘Medallion’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem culture.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 16 days at temperatures about            23° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 14 to 18 days at            temperatures about 20° C. to 21° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Compact and upright to outwardly            arching and uniform plant habit; overall shape, flattened            globular; freely clumping habit with about 14 basal shoots            forming per plant; vigorous growth habit and moderate to            rapid growth rate.        -   Plant height (soil level to top of foliar plane).—About 42.5            cm.        -   Plant height (soil level to top of floral plane).—About 31            cm.        -   Plant diameter.—About 79.6 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate; simple.        -   Length, fully expanded.—About 23.2 cm.        -   Width, fully expanded.—About 17.7 cm.        -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic to broadly obovate.        -   Apex.—Abruptly acute.        -   Base.—Rounded to shallow truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire to crenate; moderately undulate.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Aspect.—Initially upright, then outwardly arching.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            non-rugose; slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            non-rugose; matte.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Center: Close to            146C to 146D. Band surrounding center: Irregularly blotched            with between 143A and 146A. Band surrounding previous band:            Close to N148D. Band towards the margin: Close to between            139A and NN137A. Leaf edge: Close to 146A. Developing            leaves, lower surface: Center: Close to N77D. Band            surrounding center: Irregularly blotched with slightly            darker than N77C. Band surrounding previous band: Close to            N77B. Band towards the margin: Close to between N186C and            N77C. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Center: Close to            137C. Band surrounding center: Irregularly blotched with            between 139A, N189A and NN137A. Band surrounding previous            band: Close to 148D. Band towards the margin: Close to            between 139A and N189A. Leaf edge: Slightly darker than            137A. Midvein: Close to 148A to 148B. Lateral venation:            Close to 139A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to between 187A and N187A and towards the margin, slightly            darker than N187A; midvein, close to between 177C and 199B            and lateral venation, close to N186B.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 25.8 cm. Width: About 7 mm by 8 mm.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Strength: Moderately strong. Color, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to between N186C and 200A and            proximally, close to N186C.        -   Wings.—Length: About 8.9 cm. Width: About 7 mm. Texture and            luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy.            Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.            Color, upper surface: Close to 183B to 183C. Color, lower            surface: Close to 187C to 187D.        -   Geniculum.—Length: About 5.1 cm. Width: About 6 mm. Texture,            upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 200C.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Upright terminal compound spike inflorescences            developing directly from the basal shoots; typically each            spike with about 39 flowers and about 468 flowers buds and            flowers developing per plant during the flowering season.        -   Time to flower.—In The Netherlands, plants flower from            summer into autumn; flowering continuous during this period.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about three days on the            plant; flowers persistent; plants maintain good substance            for about 120 days.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 3.3 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Shape: Narrowly oblong. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Color: Immature sepals, close to 146D and            150D.        -   Inflorescence length.—About 6.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 5.6 cm.        -   Flowers.—Shape and arrangement: Corolla cruciform with four            petals; one upper petal, one lower petal and two lateral            petals fused towards the base with 30% of the petals free.            Diameter: About 1.2 cm by 2.1 cm. Depth: About 3.4 cm.            Flower throat diameter: About 2 mm. Flower tube length:            About 1.9 cm. Flower tube diameter: About 2 mm.        -   Upper petal.—Length: About 1 cm. Width: About 8 mm. Shape,            free part: Broadly obovate. Apex: Emarginate. Margins:            Entire; slightly undulate. Texture and luster, upper            surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture            and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glossy. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface:            Close to NN155C slightly tinged with close to N77D;            venation, similar to lamina color; color does not change            with subsequent development. When opening and fully opened,            lower surface: Close to NN155B slightly tinged with close to            76A; venation, similar to lamina color; color does not            change with subsequent development.        -   Lower petal.—Length: About 1.1 cm. Width: About 5.5 mm.            Shape, free part: Obovate. Apex: Obtuse. Margins: Entire;            slightly undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and            luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.            Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close            to N77D and towards the margin, close to N155B; venation,            similar to lamina color; color does not change with            subsequent development. When opening and fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 76A; venation, similar to lamina color;            color does not change with subsequent development.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 5 mm. Width: About 2 mm.            Shape, free part: Narrowly elliptic. Apex: Acute. Margins:            Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster, upper surface:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and            luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.            Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close            to N155C; venation, similar to lamina color; color does not            change with subsequent development. When opening and fully            opened, lower surface: Close to N155B; venation, similar to            lamina color; color does not change with subsequent            development.        -   Flower throat.—Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to            NN155B.        -   Flower tube.—Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to            157A.        -   Sepals.—Quantity of sepals and arrangement: Three in a            single whorl; fused towards the base with 30% of the sepals            free. Length: About 9 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape:            Narrowly ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Broadly cuneate. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;            moderately glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface:            Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: When opening and fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 157D. When opening and fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 157D.        -   Upper flower bracts.—Quantity: About seven upper bracts per            inflorescence. Length: About 3.1 cm. Width: About 2.3 cm.            Shape: Ovate; slightly concave. Apex: Broadly acute. Base:            Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening            and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 147D with broad            margins, close to 146A. When opening and fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 148D with broad margins, close to 147B.        -   Lower flower bracts.—Quantity: About 13 lower bracts per            inflorescence. Length: About 2.4 cm. Width: About 3.6 cm.            Shape: Reniform to close to flabellate; strongly concave.            Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and            luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy.            Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper            surface: Close to 144A. When opening and fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 146B.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 20.6 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture and luster:            Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Close to between            N186C and 200A.        -   Stamens.—Quantity: One per flower; appressed to flower            throat. Filament length: About 3 mm. Filament color: Close            to NN155C. Anther size: About 0.5 mm by 2.5 mm. Anther            shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther color: Close to 158C. Pollen            amount: Sparse. Pollen color: Close to 164C.        -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About            2.5 cm. Style length: About 2.3 cm. Style color: Close to            155C. Stigma diameter: About 1 mm. Stigma shape:            Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 156D. Ovary color: Close            to 155D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Calathea.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Calathea have    not been observed to be resistant to pathogens or pests common to    Calathea plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Calathea have been observed    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 8° C. to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 13.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Calathea plant named ‘Mysty’ asillustrated and described.